Beaumaris Castle

These buildings were not only a matter of CYA politics like the equivalent “security” measures are today. They had that role, of course – a show of strength to tell the locals their foreign ruler was formidable. But they were also necessary, as historically the understanding that every noble is just a man was much easier to expose and it was necessary to have actual, solid defences for when the people picked up pikes to press their point.

Remembering that every act of “the state” is actually the decision of an individual is more necessary than ever.